THE Queensland government’s Housing Investment Fund (HIF) will support the Brisbane Housing Company (BHC) and Queensland Investment Corporation in developing up to 81 social and affordable housing units across the inner city.
The new social and affordable housing complex project in Woolloongabba, around 2km south of the Brisbane CBD, will apply for a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) to streamline needed development approvals.
The Woolloongabba project will be the second to apply for MID under planning regulation changes made in October 2022, to enable eligible community housing providers to request a MID, so projects can commence faster.
“This request was approved to progress through the MID process in a matter of weeks, meaning the provider can crack on with the next step of public notification,” said Meaghan Scanlon, minister for housing.
“This process gives providers another pathway to seek fast approval for their social and affordable housing developments.”
Subject to further due diligence, the 81 social and affordable housing units made up of a diverse array of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.
“BHC’s vision is to create vibrant developments that provide safe, stable long-term rental housing for a variety of Queenslanders in housing need,” said Rebecca Oelkers, CEO at BHC.
“Our new Woolloongabba development will deliver much needed social and affordable accommodation. Woolloongabba is undergoing major redevelopment as the hub for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and demand is at a record level for affordable housing in the suburb, so our desire is to maximise the community benefit of this key site.
The proposal comprises the removal of existing dwelling houses on the site and the construction of a 15-storey (plus rooftop) building to accommodate the units.
The final height and dwellings numbers will be subject to the outcome of the MID and final due diligence.
The proposal also includes a communal rooftop garden and recreational space, in addition to ground level and basement carparking and landscaping.
Within walking distance of the Princesses Alexandra Hospital, it will offer cost-effective housing for low-income essential workers and others in nearby retail and the CBD, ensuring they can live close to their employment,” added Oelkers.
“For Queenslanders seeking assistance through the State’s social housing register, it will offer modern, affordable accommodation that is well-located to transport and local services.”
The site is also within walking distance of the Buranda Village Shopping Centre and the Buranda Busway and Railway Station.
“To tackle the impact national housing pressures are having here, we need to work with industry to look at new solutions and ways of doing things,” added Scanlon.
“This project is another example of how the Housing Investment Fund is securing more homes for Queenslanders. The HIF means that Queenslanders will be able to continue to access critical funding for housing projects not just now but into the future.
The government also just announced another 71 projects that had been shortlisted for the HIF detailed proposal phase this week, with the potential deliver over 3000 homes.
